Ed Williams | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/ed-williams
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2018Thu, 22 Feb 2018 05:22:09 GMT2018-02-22T05:22:09Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2018The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
BNP faces financial turmoil if found in contempt of courthttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/jun/28/bnp-finances-contempt-court
Nick Griffin could have his assets seized if high court rules that leader breached order to amend party's constitution<p>Fresh from its disastrous showing at the ballot box on 6 May, the British National party now faces financial turmoil with its assets threatened by court action. The high court is to decide whether Nick Griffin and two other BNP officials should face contempt of court proceedings in which their assets could be confiscated under a "writ of sequestration". The assets include Griffin's MEP salary, investments and pensions and any property that they might own. The case shows that no political party is above the law.</p><p>The contempt proceedings were brought by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) after the BNP was accused of failing to remove potentially racist clauses from its constitution. The BNP had been in breach of the Race Relations Act 1976 by admitting only white people to the party, but it revised its constitution in February to say it would allow people of any descent or origin to join, but only if the individual "agrees with or supports or does not oppose or does not disagree with the principles of our party". The BNP has since changed this condition so it no longer applies to applicants but to members exercising voting rights.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/jun/28/bnp-finances-contempt-court">Continue reading...</a>BNPNick GriffinThe far rightUK newsLawPoliticsContempt of courtMon, 28 Jun 2010 13:38:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/jun/28/bnp-finances-contempt-courtPhotograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty ImagesBritish National party leader Nick Griffin. The party's assets could be seized if it is found to be in contempt of court. Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty ImagesBritish National party leader Nick Griffin. The party's assets could be seized if it is found to be in contempt of court. Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty ImagesEd Williams2010-06-28T13:38:27ZTrade union laws aren't workinghttps://www.theguardian.com/law/2010/may/27/uk-union-laws-future
Britain is facing industrial unrest not seen since the miners' strike, and the legislation is not equipped to help those it was designed for – the workers<p>Not since the 1984 miners' strike has industrial action loomed so large over Britain. BA and Unite's long-standing industrial dispute appears no closer to resolution, civil servants and Post Office workers have recently completed strike action and there have been wildcat strikes at Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire. The RMT was only prevented from striking by its failure to properly notify members of the result of the ballot. In the much-trailed "age of austerity", with its deep cuts to public services and large-scale job losses, industrial action will not only be inevitable but it will be politically, socially and legally explosive.</p><p>There is real concern that our current trade union laws are ill-equipped to deal with the scale of this upheaval. Since 1906 British legislation has provided for limited immunities for those inducing industrial action from liability for its economic consequences, yet these immunities have been narrowed to the point where the UK is perceived by international human rights agencies as failing to comply with minimum international standards.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2010/may/27/uk-union-laws-future">Continue reading...</a>LawTrade unionsUniteBritish AirwaysUK newsThu, 27 May 2010 14:40:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2010/may/27/uk-union-laws-futurePhotograph: Alastair Grant/APBA's case against the Unite union represented an approach that put narrow technicality above the democratic right of workers, says Ed Williams. Photograph: Alastair Grant/APPhotograph: Alastair Grant/APBA's case against the Unite union represented an approach that put narrow technicality above the democratic right of workers, says Ed Williams. Photograph: Alastair Grant/APEd Williams2010-05-27T14:40:30Z